Former Eskom Manager’s R30m Tax Fraud Case Delayed

Former Eskom manager France Hlakudi’s case, in which he’s been changed over R30 million worth of fraudulent tax returns, has been postponed by the Pretoria regional court.

Hlakudi allegedly did not declare his income for the period between 2016 and 2018, according to . After appearing in court yesterday, his case was postponed until 10 November to allow his legal team to study the docket.

The charges he’s facing relate to fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act in relation to his personal tax affairs and that of his companies, Hlakudi Translation and Interpretation CC, Coxinel Chicken (Pty) Ltd and Bon Services Telcom CC. Among the claims are that he also pocketed bribes while part of Eskom’s management staff. In the R745m Eskom Kusile corruption case, he was accused of receiving millions from Eskom sub- contractors while managing the Kusile power station prior to his resignation on November 13, 2017.

The charge sheet revealed details on how sub-contractors funnelled money through Hlakudi’s companies prior to being awarded contracts. SARS investigators claim that R30,233,545.46 of taxable income went undeclared by Hlakudi’s companies.

Investigative Directorate head Hermione Cronje has said that this is just the first of several cases that are being built against a number of Eskom employees who are guilty of similar cases of fraud, which they are planning to expose and bring before the courts. Hlakudi’s charges were laid against him following a joint investigation between SARS and the serious commercial crime unit.

Hlakudi has been released on R300,000 bail and stands accused alongside alongside Abram Masango, also a former Eskom head and businessmen Antonio Trindade and Maphoko Kgomoeswana. They were arrested in a high-profile Hawks probe earlier this year.

Originally published at https://essentialmillennial.com on August 26, 2020.